many hands make light work.

Black Truss Markings

While working on some stuff around the house this weekend, the question arose of what those little black diamonds were every 19-3/16." The question was brought to work today and answered by the greatness that is Wikipedia.

"One little-known feature on most tape measures is
a small black diamond that appears every 19.2 inches, known as the 'black truss'
markings. This is used to mark out an equal five trusses per standard eight-foot
sheet of building material. (8 feet, or 96 inches, divided by 5 is 19.2
inches.)"

So under a normal 8-ft piece of plywood, if there are 5 spaces, there will be 6 different supports. And you don't even have to figure out the correct spacing to be exact. How sweet is that? I for one, can't wait to build a roof in the near future, because it will be soooo much more efficient.

Lessons from Nature 1, Extremes = adaptation/evolution

To live in a different kind of way requires adaptation. What do you mean, right?

Are we searching for a different kind of kingdom with a different kind of king? Or are we happy with the world as it now is?

What must be stripped away? This question has been asked before, and I don't endeavor to answer that question for you; only to say this: all the normal trees in the forest are different than this tree. The other ones would die up there. The tree's also not very big, but it's anchored well.

I've lately been freed from some naivete regarding helping people. It doesn't make you feel better for long, and sometimes it makes you feel worse and hopeless, like how's this ever going to change? I wish I knew. My buddy Tim has a great signature at the ends of his e-mails. It goes like this (and given my options I think I prefer this to luxurious self-indulgence):

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." --Mother Theresa

"We can do no great things, so let us fail with great enthusiasm!" --Tim Miller

Don't get it? You should've taken Calc 2

This is an excerpt from an actual test. You might have to click to enlarge. Enjoy

I got a masters degree for this?

Seriously though. I enjoy it.